IEIST force template technology provides a key capability for connecting tactical platforms to the global information grid

The advent of network technologies offers huge potential improvement in the useful information available to command and control (C/sup 2/) warfighter participants in both hostile battlefield and peacekeeping situations. In this paper, the force template concept is shown as a powerful element of the solution to these integration requirements. The evolving joint battlespace infosphere (JBI) and its application in the insertion of embedded infosphere software technology (IEIST) environment is discussed. This discussion focuses on how IEIST has adapted the evolving JBI force template concept to satisfy the needs inherent in integrating individual tactical platforms into network centric operations. The JBI force template concept and the IEIST force template implementation are compared and contrasted. The underlying strength of each in solving the integration of the warfighter with new sources of information available from infospheres such as the JBI is shown. The ultimate result of this integration is a more lethal and less vulnerable warfighter who knows the enemy's deployment and intent as it unfolds.